One of the coolest things about shortbread dough is that it is so flexible. You can take a basic shortbread recipe and flavor it with extracts, cocoa powder, chocolate chips or just about anything you want.

I have done my fair share of doctoring up shortbread and thought it might be fun to share a few ideas for how you can make 3 different shortbread cookies this holiday season. I’ll start you off first with a Basic Vanilla Shortbread recipe, followed up by a couple of fun variations on the more classic version. These recipes are also perfect for a cookie exchange or for making homemade gifts with a more personal touch for all the people in your life that you would like to show your appreciation for.

Basic Vanilla Shortbread Cookies

3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. To Make the Cookies: In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream the butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy. Reduce the mixer to low speed and add the vanilla. Then spoon in the flour and salt, mixing just until the dough forms. Remove the dough from the bowl and wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it for at least 3 hours.

2. Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it out to 1/8″ thickness then cut desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place the shapes on a lined cookie sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.

And now that you’ve mastered the classic recipe, here are a couple more really delicious variations that are also fun experiment with.

Kelsey Banfield, The Naptime Chef, believes parents don't have to give up being foodies just because they have kids. Kelsey's website features webisodes, recipes and ideas on how to fit delicious food into everyday life, without compromising quality or taste. Kelsey is also the author of the newly published cookbook, The Naptime Chef Fitting Great Food Into Family Life.